Man jailed for dealing drugs near children's play area in Eastbourne

Aaron Hudson, 33, of Anthlone Street, Camden, London, pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply heroin on May 9 this year. He was sentenced to three-and-a-half years imprisonment.

Officers witnessed Hudson deal some drugs to a local drug user in the car park of Treasure Island on Eastbourne seafront, police said. When officers attempted to arrest him, Hudson was seen to swallow the drugs to prevent them being found by police.

He was arrested and charged with the offence the same day and Brighton Magistrates Court remanded Hudson in custody at Eastbourne Custody Centre in order to wait for the drugs to be passed.

During this time, police said Hudson refused to co-operate and produce the drugs. After numerous returns to court and continual remands back to Eastbourne Custody Centre, Hudson produced five packages of heroin.

He remained at Eastbourne Custody centre for a total of 27 days before returning to Brighton Magistrates Court and admitting the offence. Hudson was released on conditional bail until he was sentenced on Friday July 1.

PC Dan Cloake said: “Although this is an unusual case where the court allowed us to keep Hudson at the police custody centre for 27 days, it is something that police working with Crown Prosecution Service and the court will apply for in order to prosecute drug dealers who believe they can evade justice by storing drugs internally.

“This should be a stark reminder to any drug dealers who supply class A drugs in Sussex that we will use every bit of legislation available to us in order to prosecute you. This is not the first time we have used this specific legislation and it will not be the last.”

Anyone who has any information around the supply of drugs in Sussex can contact police on [email protected] or ring 101. Alternatively contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 (www.crimestoppers-uk.org).

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